Scotland national football team

Infobox National football team
Name = Scotland
Badge = SFAShirtLogo.svg
Badge_size = 91px
FIFA Trigramme = SCO
Association = Scottish Football Association
Confederation = UEFA (Europe)
Coach = George Burley
Asst Manager = Terry Butcher
Steven Pressley
Captain = Barry Ferguson
Most caps = Kenny Dalglish (102)
Top scorer = Kenny Dalglish (30)
Denis Law (30)
Home Stadium = Hampden Park
FIFA Rank = 26
1st ranking date = August 1993
FIFA max = 13 [cite web | title=Scots close in on England ranking | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7059726.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2007-10-24 | accessdate=2007-10-25]
FIFA max date = October 2007
FIFA min = 88 [cite web | title=Wales fall in Fifa world rankings | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4377609.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2005-03-24 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
FIFA min date = March 2005
Elo Rank = 38
Elo max = 1cite web | title= World Football Elo Ratings: Scotland | url= http://www.eloratings.net/Scotland.htm | publisher=World Football Elo Ratings | accessdate=2007-05-13]
Elo max date = 1876–92,1904
Elo min = 64
Elo min date = May 2005
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pattern_so1 =_blacktop
pattern_la2=_borderonwhite|pattern_b2=_scotlanda07|pattern_ra2=_borderonwhite
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First game = Flagicon|Scotland Scotland 0–0 fb-rt|England
(Glasgow, Scotland; 30 November 1872)
Largest win = Flagicon|Scotland Scotland 11–0 fb-rt|Ireland
(Glasgow, Scotland; 23 February 1901)
Largest loss = fb|Uruguay 7–0 Scotland Flagicon|Scotland
(Basel, Switzerland; 19 June 1954)
World cup apps = 8
World cup first = 1954
World cup best = Round 1, all
Regional name = European Championship
Regional cup apps = 2
Regional cup first = 1992
Regional cup best = Round 1, all

The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872. Although a constituent country of the United Kingdom, Scotland maintains its own national side that competes in all major professional tournaments, with the exception of the Olympics as Scotland is not a member of the International Olympic Committee. The majority of Scotland's home matches are held at the national stadium, Hampden Park, with friendlies sometimes hosted at club stadiums.

Scotland have qualified for the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Football Championship several times, but have never progressed beyond the first stage of a tournament. The team have achieved some noteworthy results, however, such as beating the 1966 FIFA World Cup winners England 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in 1967. Archie Gemmill scored what has been described as one of the greatest World Cup goals ever in a 3–2 win during the 1978 World Cup against Holland, who reached the final of the tournament. In their qualifying group for UEFA Euro 2008, Scotland defeated 2006 World Cup runners-up France 1–0 in both fixtures.

Scotland's supporters are collectively known as the Tartan Army. Their traditional rivals are England,cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/11/99/battle_of_britain/473756.stm|title=A history of fierce football rivalry|date=1999-10-13|accessdate=2007-10-25|publisher=BBC Sport] who they played annually from 1872 until 1989, but there have only been three senior level fixtures since then. The last match between the sides was the second leg of a Euro 2000 qualifying play-off at Wembley in 1999, which Scotland won 1–0. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/11/99/battle_of_britain/525287.stm|title=England 0–1 Scotland|date=1999-11-18|accessdate=2007-10-25|publisher=BBC Sport]

History

Early history

Scotland are the oldest national football team in the world, alongside England.cite web| last=Mitchell | first=Paul | title=The first international football match | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0012/ | publisher=BBC Scotland | accessdate=2007-05-15 ] The two countries contested the first ever international football match, at Hamilton Crescent in Partick, Scotland on 30 November 1872. The match ended in a goalless draw. [cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Paul|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0012/index.shtml|title=The first international football match|accessdate=2007-10-25|publisher=bbc.co.uk] All eleven players who represented Scotland that day played for Glasgow amateur club Queen's Park. Over the next forty years, Scotland played matches exclusively against the other three Home nations—England, Wales and Ireland. The British Home Championship began in 1883, making these games competitive. The encounters against England were particularly fierce and a rivalry quickly developed.

A noteworthy victory for Scotland before the Second World War was the 5–1 victory over England in 1928, which led to that Scotland side being known as the "Wembley Wizards". Scotland won the British Home Championship outright on 24 occasions, and shared the title 17 times with at least one other team. [The competition did not use goal difference or goal average to separate teams level on points, so the title was shared instead.] cite web | title=British Home Championship Overview | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/bhc.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2007-05-14] In 1929, Scotland played their first match outside the British Isles, beating Norway 7–3 in Bergen.cite web | title=Scotland - International Matches 1921–1930 | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1930.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2007-05-15] Scotland continued to contest regular friendly matches against European opposition and enjoyed wins against Germany and France before losing to the Austrian "Wunderteam" and Italy in 1931.

1950s and 1960s

The national team first competed at the FIFA World Cup in the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland. The Home Nations did not enter the three World Cups before the Second World War because they were not members of FIFA. Scotland qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, but the SFA declined to participate because the team had not won the 1950 British Home Championship.

In the 1954 World Cup, Scotland suffered a 1–0 defeat against Austria and a 7–0 defeat by Uruguay. [cite web | title=World Cup 1954 finals | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tables/54full.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2008-09-17] It was also in 1954 that Scotland appointed their first team manager, Andy Beattie, but he resigned before the game against Uruguay. [Andrew Ward, "Scotland: The Team" (The Breedon Book Publishing Company Limited, Derby, 1987), page 60.]

Scotland qualified for the 1958 FIFA World Cup and drew their first game against Yugoslavia 1–1, but they then lost to Paraguay and France and went out at the first stage. Under the management of Ian McColl, Scotland enjoyed consecutive British Home Championship successes in 1962 and 1963. Jock Stein, John Prentice and Malcolm MacDonald all had brief spells as manager before Bobby Brown was appointed in 1967.cite web | title=Scotland Manager Records | url= http://www.londonhearts.com/scotland/man/aamanagers.html | publisher=Scotland the Complete | accessdate=2007-05-15] Brown's first match as manager was against the newly crowned world champions England at Wembley Stadium. Despite being underdogs, Scotland won 3–2 thanks to goals from Denis Law, Bobby Lennox and Jim McCalliog.cite web | title=Wembley Wizards 1967 | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0022/page03.shtml | publisher=BBC Scotland | accessdate=2007-05-15] Having defeated the world champions on their own turf, the Scotland fans hailed their team as the "unofficial world champions". [cite book | author=Paul Brown | title=The Unofficial Football World Championships | publisher=Tonto Sport |year=2006 | isbn=0955218314]

Ormond and MacLeod

After Tommy Docherty's brief spell as manager, Willie Ormond was hired in 1973. Ormond lost his first match in charge 5–0 to England, but recovered to steer Scotland to their first World Cup finals in 16 years in 1974. At the 1974 World Cup finals in West Germany, Scotland were unbeaten but failed to progress beyond the group stages on goal difference. After beating Zaire, they drew with both Brazil and Yugoslavia, and went out because they had beaten Zaire by the smallest margin.

Scotland appointed Ally MacLeod as manager in 1977 with qualification for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina far from assured. The team made a strong start under MacLeod by winning the 1977 British Home Championship, largely thanks to a 2–1 victory over England at Wembley Stadium. The Scotland fans invaded the pitch after the match, ripping up the turf and breaking a crossbar. [cite web | author = Cole, Ian | title=Wait till the Tartan Army sees the new Wembley! | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-493501/Wait-till-Tartan-Army-sees-new-Wembley.html | publisher="Daily Mail" | date = 2007-11-13 | accessdate = 2008-09-17] [cite web | title=Scots stash souvenirs under Wembley | url= http://news.scotsman.com/weirdoddandquirkystories/Scots-stash-souvenirs-under-Wembley.3359192.jp | publisher="The Scotsman" | date=2007-04-01 | accessdate=2008-09-21] Scotland's good form continued as they secured qualification for the World Cup with victories over Czechoslovakia and Wales. [cite web | title=Scotland - International Matches 1976–1980 | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1980.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2007-05-15]

During the build-up to the 1978 FIFA World Cup, MacLeod fuelled the hopes of the nation by stating that Scotland would come home with a medal.cite web | title=1978 World Cup | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0002/print.shtml | publisher=BBC Scotland | accessdate=2007-05-15] As the squad left for the finals in Argentina, they were given an enthusiastic send off as they were paraded around a packed Hampden Park. [cite web | author=Aitken, Mike | title=Ally MacLeod, a tragic hero | url= http://sport.scotsman.com/allymacleod/Ally-MacLeod-a-tragic-hero.2500029.jp | work=The Scotsman | date=2004-02-02 | accessdate=2008-01-08] Thousands more fans lined the route to Prestwick Airport as the team set off for South America. Scotland's first game was against Peru in Cordoba. Two spectacular goals by Teófilo Cubillas meant that the result was a 3–1 loss. The second game was a very disappointing 1–1 draw against Iran. The disconsolate mood of the nation was reflected by footage of Ally MacLeod in the dugout with his head in his hands. [cite web | title=Ally McLeod — a national treasure | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/3468549.stm | author=Chick Young | publisher =BBC Scotland | date=2004-02-07 | accessdate=2007-05-15]

After taking a single point from their opening two games, Scotland had to defeat Holland by three clear goals to progress. Despite the Dutch taking the lead, Scotland fought back to win 3–2 with a goal from Kenny Dalglish and two from Archie Gemmill, the second of which is one of the most celebrated goals in Scotland's history; Gemmill beat three Dutch defenders before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed into the net.cite web | title=The lion roars — too late | url=http://sport.scotsman.com/tengreatfootballmatches/The-lion-roars--too.2379220.jp | publisher=The Scotsman | date=2002-11-19 | accessdate=2008-01-08] The victory was not sufficient to secure a place in the second round, however, as Scotland were eliminated on goal difference for the second successive World Cup.

tein and Ferguson

MacLeod resigned as manager shortly after the 1978 World Cup, with Jock Stein appointed as his replacement. After failing to qualify for the 1980 European Championship, [cite web | title=Scotland — International Matches 1976–1980 | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1980.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2007-05-15] Scotland qualified for the 1982 FIFA World Cup from a tough group including Sweden, Portugal, Israel and Northern Ireland, losing just one match in the process. [cite web | title=Scotland — International Matches 1981–1985 | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1985.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2007-05-15] They beat New Zealand 5–2 in their first game at the World Cup, but lost 4–1 to a Brazil team containing Socrates, Zico, Eder and Falcao. Scotland were eliminated on goal difference after a 2–2 draw with the Soviet Union.

Scotland qualified for their fourth successive World Cup in 1986 in traumatic circumstances. The squad went into their last qualification match against Wales needing a point to reach the tournament in Mexico. With only nine minutes remaining and Wales leading, Scotland were awarded a penalty kick which was calmly scored by Davie Cooper.cite web | author=Brown, Craig | title=Stein, a national treasure | url= http://sport.scotsman.com/jockstein/Stein-a-national-treasure.2660236.jp | work=The Scotsman | date=2005-09-11 | accessdate=2008-01-08] However, as the players and fans celebrated, news began to circulate that Stein had suffered a fatal heart attack. Alex Ferguson was handed the role of manager for the World Cup, but Scotland were eliminated from the tournament with just one point from their three matches, a goalless draw with Uruguay. [cite web | title=World Cup 1986 | url=http://www.rsssf.com/tables/86full.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2008-09-14]

Roxburgh and Brown

Scotland qualified for their fifth consecutive World Cup in 1990 by finishing second in their qualifying group, beating out France. [cite web | title=World Cup 1990 Qualifying | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | url=http://www.rsssf.com/tables/90q.html | accessdate=2008-08-31] Scotland were drawn in a group with Costa Rica, Sweden, and Brazil, but the Scots lost 1–0 to Costa Rica.cite web | title=World Cup 1990 (Italy, 8 June – 8 July) | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | url=http://www.rsssf.com/tables/90f.html | accessdate=2008-08-31] While they recovered to beat Sweden 2–1 in their second game, they lost to Brazil in their third match 1–0 and were once again eliminated after the first round.

By a narrow margin, Scotland qualified for the UEFA European Football Championship for the first time in 1992.cite web | title=1992 — Small but perfectly formed | url= http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/history/season=1992/intro.html | publisher=UEFA | date=2003-10-05 | accessdate=2007-05-15] A 1–0 defeat to Romania away from home left qualification dependent upon other results, but a 1–1 draw between Bulgaria and Romania in the final group match saw Scotland squeeze through.cite web | title=European Championship 1992 | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tables/92e.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2007-05-15] Despite playing well in matches against the Netherlands and Germany and a fine win against the CIS, the team was knocked out at the group stage. Scotland failed to qualify, however, for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The team finished fourth in their qualifying group behind Italy, Switzerland and Portugal. When it became clear that Scotland could not qualify, Andy Roxburgh resigned from his position as team manager.cite web | title=Craig Brown's highs and lows | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2001-10-07 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1528293.stm | accessdate=2008-08-31]

New manager Craig Brown successfully guided Scotland to the 1996 European Championship tournament. The first game against the Netherlands ended 0–0, raising morale ahead of a much anticipated game against England at Wembley Stadium. Gary McAllister missed a penalty kick and a world-class goal by Paul Gascoigne led to a 2–0 defeat. Scotland recovered to beat Switzerland 1–0. The score in the other match meant Scotland were briefly in a position to qualify, but a late goal for Holland meant that the team were once again knocked out on goal difference.

Brown again guided Scotland to qualification for a major tournament in 1998, and Scotland were drawn against Brazil in the opening game of the 1998 World Cup. [cite web | title=Scotland Open the World Cup 1998 | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0042/ | publisher=BBC Scotland | accessdate=2007-05-16] John Collins equalised from the penalty spot to level the score at 1–1, but a Tom Boyd own goal led to a 2–1 defeat. Scotland drew their next game 1–1 with Norway in Bordeaux, but the final match against Morocco ended in an embarrassing 3–0 defeat.

During the qualification for the 2000 European Championship, Scotland faced England in a two-legged playoff nicknamed the "Battle of Britain" by the media.cite web | title=Battle of Britain | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/11/99/battle_of_britain/525203.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=1999-11-17 | accessdate=2007-04-11] Scotland won the second match 1–0, but lost the tie 2–1 on aggregate. Scotland failed to qualify for the finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, finishing third in their qualifying group behind Croatia and Belgium. This second successive failure to qualify prompted Brown to resign from his position after the final qualifying match.

Decline under Vogts

The Scottish Football Association appointed former Germany manager Berti Vogts as manager in 2002. [cite web | title=Vogts unveiled by Scotland | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1822296.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2002-02-15 | accessdate=2007-04-12] Scotland performed badly under Vogts and suffered a series of heavy defeats, including 6–0 to Holland, 5–0 to France, 4–0 to Wales, 4–1 to South Korea and 3–0 to Hungary, which caused the team to drop to a record low in the FIFA World Rankings. [cite web | title=Scotland hit new low in rankings | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3998817.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2004-11-10 | accessdate=2007-04-12] Vogts announced his resignation in 2004, [cite web | title=Vogts resigns from Scotland job | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3734094.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2004-11-01 | accessdate=2007-04-12] blaming the hostile media for his departure. [cite web | title=Berti Vogts personal statement | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3972921.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2004-11-01 | accessdate=2007-04-12]

Recovery under Smith and McLeish

Former Rangers and Everton manager, Walter Smith was brought in as manager in the wake of Vogts' departure. Smith secured victories against Bulgaria, Norway, the Faroe Islands and most notably against France in a far more productive period, [cite web | title=Scotland 1-0 France | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4765811.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2006-10-07 | accessdate=2006-10-07] with Scotland rising up the FIFA Rankings. The Scottish players also lifted their first trophy in years after winning the Kirin Cup in Japan. [cite web | title=Japan 0-0 Scotland | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4765811.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2006-05-13 | accessdate=2007-04-11] Scotland failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany with a 3–4–3 win–draw–loss record, finishing third in their group behind Italy and Norway.

Smith left the national side in early 2007 to return to club football, with Scotland leading their Euro 2008 qualification group largely thanks to a 1–0 win against France at Hampden. [cite web | title=Smith appointed boss of Rangers | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6233237.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2007-01-10 | accessdate=2007-04-12] Alex McLeish was named as Smith's successor and Scotland's twentieth manager. [cite web | title=McLeish unveiled as Scotland boss | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6289073.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2007-01-29 | accessdate=2007-04-12] McLeish's first match in charge was a 2008 European Championship qualifying match against Georgia which was won 2–1 by Scotland, making McLeish only the third Scotland manager to win his first match in charge. [cite web | title=Hampden roars approval after win | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6493073.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2007-03-25 | accessdate=2007-04-12] McLeish then guided Scotland to wins against the Faroe Islands, Lithuania, France and Ukraine before defeats to Georgia and Italy ended their chances of qualification. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7115771.stm|title=Rise and fall of McLeish's Scotland|date=2007-11-27|accessdate=2008-02-02|publisher=BBC Sport] These overall improved results, particularly the wins against France, lifted Scotland into the top 20 in the FIFA rankings for the first time since their conception in the mid 1990s. Scotland's best ranking was 13th in October 2007.

Burley

After the narrow failure to qualify for Euro 2008, Alex McLeish resigned the managerial position to join fc|Birmingham City. [cite web | title = McLeish leaves Scotland for Blues | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 2007-11-27 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7114028.stm | accessdate = 2008-09-27 ] Scotland's improved results in the last two campaigns meant the team were seeded second for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, and they were drawn with Holland, Norway, Macedonia and Iceland. [cite web | title = 2010 World Cup qualifying draw | publisher = BBC Sport | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7110976.stm | accessdate = 2008-09-27 ] fc|Southampton manager George Burley was hired as the new manager, but the team failed to win three preparatory friendlies against Croatia, Czech Republic and Northern Ireland. Burley came in for criticism from the media after the team lost their first qualifier against Macedonia, [cite news | last = Hunter | first = Andy | title = Fletcher backs Burley as McCulloch deepens woe | work = The Guardian | date = 2008-09-09 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/sep/09/worldcup2010qualifiers.scotlandfootballteam | accessdate = 2008-09-27 ] but they recovered to win 2–1 in Iceland. [cite web | last = Moffat | first = Colin | title = Iceland 1–2 Scotland | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 2008-09-10 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7604013.stm | accessdate = 2008-09-27 ]

World Cup record

Scotland have played at eight World Cup Finals,cite web | title= Burley move pays off for Scotland | url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/16/scotland_first/ | publisher=CNN | date=1998-09-28 | accessdate=2007-04-12] including five consecutive tournaments from 1974 to 1990. During the preparations for the 1928 Olympic Football Tournament, FIFA ruled that all its member associations must provide "broken-time" payments to cover the expenses of players from their country who participated. In response to what they considered to be unacceptable interference, the football associations of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales held a meeting at which they agreed to resign from FIFA. [cite web | title=British Society of Sports History | url= http://www.fifa.com/en/development/technical/index/0,1250,7758,00.html?articleid=7758 | publisher=FIFA | date=1999-08-19 | accessdate=2007-05-31 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20050904111234/http://fifa.com/en/development/technical/index/0,1250,7758,00.html?articleid=7758 | archivedate=2005-09-04] As a result, Scotland did not compete in the three interwar World Cup competitions. The Scottish Football Association did not rejoin FIFA as a permanent member until 1946. [cite web | title=Between the Wars | url= http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=397 | publisher=Scottish Football Association | accessdate=2007-05-30]

Competion

Scotland have never advanced beyond the first round of the finals competition. They have missed out on progressing to the second round three times on goal difference: in 1974, when Brazil edged them out;cite web | title=World Cup 1974 finals | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tables/74full.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2008-09-14] in 1978, when the Netherlands progressed;cite web | title=World Cup 1978 finals| url= http://www.rsssf.com/tables/78full.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2008-09-14] and in 1982, when the USSR went through.cite web | title=World Cup 1982 finals | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tables/82full.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | accessdate=2008-09-14] Although Scotland have played at eight finals tournaments, they have actually qualified on nine occasions. The Scottish Football Association declined to participate in 1950 as Scotland were not the British champions.

Other recent players

The following players are not in the current squad, but have been selected to play for Scotland since 1 September 2007.

nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Kevin McNaughton^CZE|age=birth date and age|1982|8|28|df=y|caps=4|goals=0|club=Cardiff City|clubnat=WAL Cardiff City is a Welsh club that plays in the English Football League.] nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Gavin Rae^CZE|age=birth date and age|1977|11|28|df=y|caps=13|goals=0|club=Cardiff City|clubnat=WALnat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Ross McCormack^CZE|age=birth date and age|1986|8|18|df=y|caps=1|goals=0|club=Cardiff City|clubnat=WAL

*^ISL Most recent cap v. Iceland, 10 September 2008
*^NIR Most recent cap v. Northern Ireland, 20 August 2008
*^CZE Most recent cap v. Czech Republic, 30 May 2008
*^CRO Most recent cap v. Croatia, 26 March 2008
*^ITA Most recent cap v. Italy, 17 November 2007
*^GEO Most recent cap v. Georgia, 17 October 2007
*^UKR Most recent cap v. Ukraine, 13 October 2007

Honoured players

The Scottish Football Association operates a roll of honour for every player who has made more than 50 appearances for Scotland.cite web | title=Scotland National Teams – International Roll of Honour | publisher=Scottish Football Association | url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=350 | accessdate=2008-08-31] As of 2008, there are 25 members of this roll, with David Weir the most recent addition to the list. The qualifying mark of 50 appearances means that many notable Scotland players including Hughie Gallacher, John Greig, Archie Gemmill, Lawrie Reilly and Jim Baxter are not on the roll of honour.

The Scottish Football Museum operates a hall of fame which is open to players and managers involved in Scottish football, meaning that membership is not restricted to people who have played for Scotland. Willie Bauld, Eric Caldow, Jimmy Cowan, Alan Hansen, Ally McCoist, Rose Reilly, Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan and Eddie Turnbull were inducted in 2007. [cite web | title=Hall of Fame Dinner 2007 | publisher=Scottish Football Museum | url=http://www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=1429 | accessdate=2008-08-31] Sportscotland operates the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, which has inducted some footballers.

Managers

From 1872 to 1954 and 1954 to 1958 the Scotland national team was appointed by a selection committee. Andy Beattie was manager for six matches in 1954 when Scotland competed at their first World Cup. After the tournament the selection committee resumed their duties, continuing until the appointment of Matt Busby in 1958. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7203463.stm|title=Burley appointed Scotland manager|date=2008-01-24|accessdate=2008-02-03|publisher=BBC Sport]

Statistically the most successful manager was Alex McLeish, who won seven of the ten games he took charge of. Discounting managers who have managed less than ten games, the least successful manager was Berti Vogts, who only won eight out of 31 games. As of September 2008, the current manager is George Burley, who was appointed on 23 January 2008 after leaving English Championship club Southampton. [cite news|author=David Ross|url=http://www.scottishleague.net/archive/archive48.htm|title=Scottish League SFAQS|accessdate=2008-09-14|publisher=Scottishleague.net]

Last updated: Iceland 1–2 Scotland, 10 September 2008. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

Records

Kenny Dalglish holds the record for Scotland appearances, having played 102 times between 1971 and 1986. He is the only Scotland player to have reached 100 caps. Jim Leighton is second, having played 91 times, a record for appearances by a goalkeeper. Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish played for Scotland 77 times and is the third most capped player. [cite web | title=International Roll of Honour | url= http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=350 | publisher=Scottish Football Association | date = 2008 |accessdate=2007-05-31]

The title of Scotland's highest goalscorer is shared by two players. Denis Law scored 30 goals between 1958 and 1974, during which time he played for Scotland on 55 occasions. Kenny Dalglish scored an equal number from 102 appearances. Hughie Gallacher as well as being the third highest scorer is also the most prolific with his 23 goals coming from only 20 games (averaging 1.15 goals per game). Other notable strikers include, Lawrie Reilly, Ally McCoist, Mo Johnston and Joe Jordan.

The largest margin of victory achieved by a Scotland side is 11–0 against Ireland in the 1901 British Home Championship. [cite web | title=Scotland - International Matches 1901-1910 | url= http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1910.html | publisher=Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation | date= 2008-06-06 | accessdate=2007-09-01] The record defeat occurred during the 1954 FIFA World Cup, a 7–0 deficit against reigning world champions Uruguay. [cite web | title=Reaping What They've Sown | url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20070114/ai_n17130564 | publisher=findarticles.com |work=The Sunday Herald | author= Campbell, Alan| date = 2007-01-14|accessdate=2007-09-01]

Scotland's 1937 British Home Championship match against England set a new world record for a football attendance. The Hampden Park crowd was officially recorded as 149,415, though the true figure is unknown as a large number of additional fans gained unauthorised entry. This attendance was surpassed 13 years later by the 1950 World Cup final, but remains a European record. [cite web | author=Coates, Jonathan | title=The day Hampden Park sat on top of the world | url= http://heritage.scotsman.com/top-stories/The-day-Hampden-Park-sat.3276773.jp?CommentPage=1&CommentPageLength=1000 | work=The Scotsman | date=2007-04-14 | accessdate=2008-09-17] [cite web | title=McLeish: We can be heroes | url= http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=638588.html | publisher=FIFA.com | date=2007-11-16 | accessdate=2008-09-17]

United Kingdom team

Scotland has always participated by itself in most of the major tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. At the Olympic Games, however, the rules only permit a United Kingdom team to compete. [cite web | title=About Britain - Sport, Leisure, Food and Drink | url= http://www.britischebotschaft.de/en/britain/ab_8.htm | publisher=British Embassy Berlin | accessdate=2007-09-05] London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, prompted suggestions that a combined UK team be created for the tournament. However, the Scottish Football Association has stated that it will not participate in such a team as doing so would threaten the independent status of the Scottish side. [cite web | title=No Scots for GB Olympic football | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4426566.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2005-11-11 | accessdate=2007-04-11] FIFA President Sepp Blatter has stated that a UK team would not threaten the continued existence of the Scotland team, [cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4206540.stm | title=Smith 'excited' by Olympic team | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2005-09-02 | accessdate=2008-01-08] but the SFA has expressed concern that a future President could take a different view.

Despite the opposition of the Scottish FA, the Welsh FA [cite web | title=Wales oppose GB Olympic football | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4426566.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2005-11-11 | accessdate=2007-04-11] and the Northern Irish FA, the formation of a squad comprising players only from England remains a possibility. Indeed, Blatter has encouraged this possibility. In response, groups representing the supporters of all four national teams have stated their opposition to a UK team and have issued a joint statement in an attempt to prevent the amalgamation of their teams. [cite press release | title=Fans groups oppose GB Olympic team | url= http://www.tartanarmyclubs.com/press_olympics.htm | publisher=Association of Tartan Army clubs | date=2006-10-01 | accessdate=2007-05-14]

ee also

* List of Scotland national football team results and fixtures

References

External links

* [http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/ Scottish Football Association]
* [http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres.html RSSSF Archive of Scotland results]
* [http://www.sfu.ca/~maxwell/scot_results.html Archive of Scotland results divided into competitions]